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Trip from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

6h 4m

Distance

322.9 mi

520 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 52m ★
6 AM
6h 5m
8 AM
6h 30m
10 AM
6h 14m
12 PM
6h 11m
3 PM
6h 15m
5 PM
6h 29m
8 PM
5h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Placer County, California

Colfax, CA

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Kern County, California, United States

Bakersfield, CA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 322.9-mile drive from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 4 minutes. Primarily utilizing CA 99, also known as the Golden State Highway and the South Sacramento Freeway for portions, this route is best suited for a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $74, it's an economical option for traversing California. The drive keeps you within the Pacific Coast region for both origin and destination, offering a consistent, practical experience for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this a direct path for your road trip needs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

161.5 miles from Colfax, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 79% of the drive on major roadways. The character of the route is largely defined by its continuous stretches on CA 99. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted segment of 150.3 miles on this main artery, meaning it's built for steady progress rather than frequent scenic detours. The drive unfolds as a consistent, high-speed passage, emphasizing efficiency over varied road types. This highway-focused profile ensures a predictable driving rhythm for the majority of your trip.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CA 99 is the longest continuous segment at about 150.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CA 99 and Golden State Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 322.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in

Enter roundabout toward I 80 West

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 80 West
8
40 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento
6
44.9 mi into trip | ~52m in | I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
48.7 mi into trip | ~56m in | Capital City Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway toward CA 99 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward CA 99 South
8
319.8 mi into trip | ~5h 59m in | CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS / Golden State Avenue toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
CA 99 150.3 mi 2h 49m
Golden State Highway 58.6 mi 1h 2m
South Sacramento Freeway 56.8 mi 1h 5m
Alan S. Hart Freeway 32.3 mi 37m
Capital City Freeway 9 mi 9m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 7.1 mi 8m
Golden State Freeway 5.2 mi 5m
Golden State Avenue 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: CA 99 — 150.3 mi, about 2h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colfax, CA and Bakersfield, CA.

1

Start on this road

33 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto US 40 Hist

130 ft · 11 sec · South Main Street
3

Turn left onto US 40 Hist

498 ft · 13 sec · Grassvalley Street
4

Turn right onto US 40 Hist

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Auburn Avenue
5

Continue on CA 174

460 ft · 10 sec · South Auburn Street
6

Enter roundabout

155 ft · 3 sec
Toward I 80 West
7

Continue

492 ft · 12 sec
Toward I 80 West
8

Merge onto I 80

32 mi · 37 min · Alan S. Hart Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 80

7.1 mi · 8 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 80 Business

4.9 mi · 5 min · Capital City Freeway
Exit 95 Toward I 80 Business West: Sacramento Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 80 Business

3.7 mi · 4 min · Capital City Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto Capital City Freeway

0.3 mi · 20 sec · Capital City Freeway
Toward CA 99 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on South Sacramento Freeway

57 mi · 1 hr 5 min · South Sacramento Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

109 mi · 2 hr 5 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

41 mi · 44 min · CA 99
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto CA 99

59 mi · 1 hr 2 min · Golden State Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on CA 99

5.2 mi · 5 min · Golden State Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork onto CA 204; CA 99 BUS

1.9 mi · 2 min · Golden State Avenue
Exit 27 Toward CA 204 South: Golden State Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

475 ft · 13 sec
20

Continue on Golden State Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Golden State Road
21

Enter roundabout onto Chester Avenue

193 ft · 3 sec · Chester Avenue
22

Continue on Chester Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · Chester Avenue
23

Turn left onto Truxtun Avenue

122 ft · 7 sec · Truxtun Avenue
24

Arrive at destination

Truxtun Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour duration, starting your journey from Colfax in the morning is advisable to arrive in Bakersfield with daylight to spare. While the drive is manageable in one day, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is 150.3 miles on CA 99, so be mindful of your fuel levels before embarking on this segment. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you pass through the Sacramento area, as this can impact your travel time. This route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your pace as needed.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.5 miles from Colfax, CA, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.3 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 161.5 miles or 3h 6m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bakersfield, CA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Colfax, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Colfax, CA

This is one driving day of about 322.9 miles and 6h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colfax, CA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on CA 99 for about 150.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 161.5 mi from Colfax, CA · 3h 6m into the drive

city in Stanislaus County, California, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Turlock, CA

161 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Galt, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Turlock, CA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.5 miles from Colfax, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before CA 99 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.3 miles.

Arriving in Bakersfield, CA

The final approach into Bakersfield, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bakersfield, CA.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

César E. Chávez National Monument

César E. Chávez National Monument

National Monument

Yes, we can! Widely recognized as the most important Latino leader in the United States during the twentieth century, Cesar Chavez led farm workers and supporters in the establishment of the country's...

28 mi from route ~69 min detour Free near mile 322.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.22 one way

$148.43 round trip

$5.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $6.02 $76.48 $152.96
premium $6.18 $78.53 $157.05
diesel $5.61 $71.29 $142.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$99–$124

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 113 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.9 1 $33.90 $15.50
Efficient EV 80.7 0 $28.25 $12.92
EV Truck/SUV 129.2 1 $45.21 $20.67

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 17 hours ago

Origin

Colfax, CA

Evening in Colfax on Tuesday

Local time

8:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bakersfield, CA

Evening in Bakersfield on Tuesday

Local time

8:56 PM

PDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 4m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA covers 322.9 miles and takes about 6h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CA 99, Golden State Highway, South Sacramento Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.5 miles from Colfax, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.22 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 322.9 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 40 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (I 80 Business / Capital City Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Colfax, CA to Bakersfield, CA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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